Designed for young urbanites who may head to the great outdoors occasionally, the V40 Cross Country builds on the solid foundation of the V40 hatch but adds more storage cubbies, higher ground clearance (the driver rides 40 millimeters higher, in fact), and plenty of protective cladding to protect the vehicle when going off-road.
The biggest difference, however, is available all-wheel drive.
You may be wondering why Volvo didn’t call this an XC40 like its utility siblings, the XC60 and XC90. Volvo explains that there is a clear distinction between the XC and Cross Country models. The XC models all have a distinct crossover character with unique body-styles including an elevated seating position, while the Cross Country models are much closer to the regular models on which they’re based.
Unique exterior elements of the new V40 Cross Country include a dark front bumper, honeycomb mesh grille and upright daytime running lights. The same dark pattern is used at the rear, which also benefits from an integrated skid plate.
Inside, owners will find premium touches such as contrasting stitching on leather seats, Volvo’s signature floating stack center console, 40/60 split-folding rear seats, and new storage cubbies in the floor. Below the armrest is a storage compartment suitable for CDs and other small items. It also features a connector for either USB/iPod or AUX, depending on the audio system specified.
2013 Volvo V40 Cross Country
Sadly, Volvo has confirmed that the V40 Cross Country won't be offered in the U.S. Most sales are expected to be in China and Europe. Volvo is predicting 30 percent of V40 Cross Country sales will be in China while up to 50 percent will be in Europe.